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2020-21 NJ Beaver and Otter Trapping Season Information
Note: Important Changes Indicated in RED
Deadlines and Dates to Remember Beaver and Otter Deadlines
Beaver and Otter Trapping Season Dates Application Period: October
1-31 Dec. 26 – Feb. 9 (Jan. 1 – Feb. 9 on some WMA)* Begin Permit
Claim: Weds., November 4 Claim Permit by: 11:59 PM November 30
Mandatory Pelt Registration: Feb. 20 9am-noon
*Please Note: In the event of a trapping season extension, all
permit holders will be notified viaEmail, telephone or first-class
mail (in that order).
Please remember: • Successful applicants must claim their permit
between Wednesday, November 4 and prior to
11:59 PM on Monday, November 30. Unclaimed permit availability
will be posted on the website by late afternoon Wednesday, December
1.
• Unclaimed permits will be returned to the quota and made
available for over-the-counter sale at participating license agents
or online beginning at 10 AM on Wednesday, Dec. 2.
This Supplement includes: • 2020-21 Beaver/Otter season permit
quota and application information.• Beaver and Otter Regulations,
Management Zone map, permit quota by Beaver and Otter
Management
Zone, and Zone boundary descriptions.• Harvest results and other
items of interest to beaver and otter trappers
2020-21 Beaver and Otter Permit Application Information
Applying for a Beaver and/or Otter Permit – Apply in person by
visiting any participating license agent or go online at
http://www.nj.wildlifelicense.com
to log in to the Division’s license sales website. You will be
prompted to enter the necessary information. The website accepts
most major credit cards and electronic checks as payment, using
proven security technologies to ensure that your transaction is
secure.
A non-refundable $2.00 application fee will be charged for each
permit you apply for. You must pay the remainder of the fee ($15.00
for beaver and $2.00 for otter) when claiming your permit(s).
Unsuccessful applicants no longer need to wait for a refund since
the only payment made was the non-refundable $2.00 application fee.
If paying via the Internet, applicants will receive their permits
by mail (additional shipping charges apply).
Permits awarded via the lottery system may be claimed at
participating license agents. Leftover and unclaimed permits
returned to the quota will be made available for over-the-counter
sale at license agents or online beginning 10 AM THURSDAY, DECEMBER
2.
http://www.nj.wildlifelicense.com/https://www.nj.gov/dep/
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2020-21 Beaver and Otter Permit Quotas & Lottery Use the
following table to calculate your odds of winning a beaver or otter
permit. Compare the 2020-21 permit quotas with the number of
2019-20 first choice permit requests for your Zone of choice.
Permit quotas have not changed this year, and there will be 200
beaver and 146 otter permits available this season for all 30
zones. Note: About 1/3 of licensed trappers apply for a beaver
and/or otter trapping permit. All permits are awarded via the
lottery! Over-the-counter sales only take place because awarded
permits go unclaimed.
2020-21 2019-20 Beaver Lottery 2020-21 2019-20 Otter Lottery
Zone Beaver
Quota 1st Lottery Applicants
Permits Claimed
OTC Sales
Otter Quota
1st Lottery Applicants
Permits Claimed
OTC Sales
1 8 6 7 1 4 6 4 0 2 17 13 13 4 4 10 3 1 3 9 13 6 3 3 11 2 1 4 7
11 7 0 3 10 3 0 5 12 10 6 6 5 11 2 3 6 22 27 30 2 5 19 5 0 7 10 9 9
1 4 8 3 1 8 8 13 6 2 8 10 5 3 9 7 14 6 1 6 12 5 1 10 8 7 6 2 2 6 2
0 11 6 21 5 1 6 16 5 1 12 3 8 2 1 2 4 2 0 13 7 6 6 1 7 14 6 1 14 2
8 1 1 6 11 5 1 15 2 25 2 0 15 32 11 4 16 6 13 6 0 5 13 5 0 17 5 6 5
0 2 3 2 0 18 3 7 3 0 6 6 3 3 19 3 7 2 1 3 5 2 1 20 7 2 6 1 7 1 7 0
21 1 6 1 0 1 5 1 0 22 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 23 1 5 1 0 1 4 1 0 24 3 6 3 0
3 5 3 0 25 6 10 4 2 6 7 3 3 26 3 10 2 1 3 8 2 1 27 2 10 1 1 2 7 2 0
28 11 17 8 3 11 9 8 3 29 12 18 10 2 6 5 4 2 30 8 47 8 0 9 42 9
0
Total 200 356 162 38 146 301 115 28
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Beaver and Otter Trapping Regulations: Beaver may be taken only
by properly licensed trappers in possession of a Special Beaver
Trapping Permit valid for an entire management zone, or a Beaver
Damage Control Permit valid as designated on the permit. River
otter may only be taken by properly licensed trappers in possession
of a Special River Otter Trapping Permit valid for an entire
management zone. Application can be made from October 1-31 at
license agents or via Fish and Wildlife’s Internet license sales
site http://www.nj.wildlifelicense.com; applicants must have a
current and valid trapping license to apply. Applicants may apply
for only one beaver trapping permit and/or one otter trapping
permit. If the number of applications exceeds the permit quota, a
random lottery drawing will be held to determine permit holders.
Successful beaver permit applicants will be given first opportunity
for otter permits in their respective zone. The Director may issue
Beaver Damage Control Permits (DCP) for the control of nuisance
beaver at a specific location. Beaver taken on a DCP during the
open trapping season may be possessed or sold by trappers provided
they are properly checked in and tagged by the Division. To receive
a Beaver DCP issued during the open season, one must first have
applied for a Special Beaver Trapping Permit for the current
season. Licensed trappers will be offered the opportunity to trap
on a DCP by lottery, with preference given to trappers who applied
for but did not receive a zone-wide Special Beaver Trapping Permit.
Beaver taken outside the open trapping season may not be possessed
or sold and must be disposed of as prescribed by the DCP. Zone maps
and boundary descriptions are available on pages 5 thru 9 of this
supplement.
Other beaver/otter rules and regulations:
• Holders of a beaver trapping zone permit may use a maximum of
five traps daily in each management zone for which they possess a
permit.
• Trappers may possess multiple Special Beaver Trapping Permits
(for the same zone or for different zones). • Holders of a river
otter trapping permit may use a maximum of three traps daily. •
Trappers may possess only one Special River Otter Trapping Permit
per season. • All beaver and otter trap tags must be clearly
visible above the water or ice. • A Fish and Wildlife-issued Beaver
Transportation Tag or Otter Transportation Tag must be affixed to
the beaver or otter
carcass immediately upon taking possession of the animal. • All
otters harvested incidentally by beaver trappers (i.e., trappers
possessing a beaver permit but not an otter permit) must
be fully surrendered to the Division of Fish and Wildlife. The
entire carcass, including the pelt, must be surrendered. • All
successful trappers (or their agents) must present their beaver
and/or otter pelts at a designated check station for
examination where pelt tags will be affixed. • All otter
carcasses must be surrendered when pelts are registered for various
biological assessments. Failure to
submit your carcass will result in the issuance of a citation by
the Bureau of Law Enforcement.
Automated Harvest Reporting System (AHRS) Beaver and river otter
will be added to the AHRS system this year. This will give the
Division real-time harvest information on which to base current
management decisions on whether the season needs to be extended. It
will NOT replace the mandatory pelt registration. Further
information will be provided to all Special Permit holders.
Mandatory Check-In: Trappers are requested to properly flesh and
stretch all pelts for examination. Additional information on check
stations will be provided to all permit holders. Fish and Wildlife
will staff check-in stations at the Assunpink, Clinton, Flatbrook,
Tuckahoe and Winslow WMAs and the Newfoundland Fire Company on
Saturday, Feb. 20, 2020 from 9am-Noon. Successful trappers who
cannot attend the scheduled dates should contact either Joseph
Garris at (908) 735-7040 or Andrew Burnett at (609) 748-2047 prior
to February 12 to make alternate arrangements. Permit holders will
be notified via email, telephone or US mail in the event the beaver
and otter trapping seasons are extended for any reason and notified
of any change in the pelt registration date.
http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/
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General Trapping Regulations:
• It is illegal to possess or use steel-jawed leghold traps
(coil spring / longspring) anywhere in New Jersey. • A trapping
license is required. • All traps set or used must bear a legible
tag of durable material with the name and address of the person
setting, using and
maintaining the traps. • Your CID or a Division issued trap
identification number may be used in lieu of a name/address tag. •
No traps or trap stakes are to be set prior to 6:00 AM on any
respective opening day. • All traps set in non-tidal waters must be
checked and tended at least once every 24 hours, preferably in the
morning. Traps
set in tidal waters only must be checked and tended at least
once per calendar day. • No person shall steal or attempt to take
traps of another, or remove a trapped animal without permission of
the trap owner. • No trap shall be permitted to remain set on any
property at the close of the trapping season. • Licensed trappers
at least 18 years of age and in possession of a valid rifle permit
may carry a .22 caliber rifle and use only
.22 caliber short rim-fire cartridges to kill legally trapped
animals other than muskrat. Firearms may not be loaded with more
than three rounds. Licensed trappers may also carry an air gun and
use ammunition no smaller than .177 and no larger than .22 caliber
(a rifle permit is not required for an air gun). Licensed trappers
under 14 years of age using a rifle in accordance with a valid
rifle permit or an air gun to dispatch legally trapped animals must
be accompanied by and under the direct supervision of a properly
licensed adult who is at least 21 years of age.
Cable Restraints: • No person shall set, use or maintain any
type of cable restraint device unless they have first passed a Fish
and Wildlife-
approved trapper education course and carry on their person
appropriate certification thereof. • All natural baits consisting
of fish, bird or mammal carcasses or flesh used in trapping with
cable restraints must be
covered or concealed from view except when placed at least 30
feet from any trap set. • Cable restraint regulations regarding
cable diameter, loop stop, loop size or relaxing lock do not apply
when sets are
completely submerged underwater at all times (as when set for
beaver or river otter).
Body Gripping Traps: • No killer-type trap shall be used in
non-tidal waters unless it is completely submerged underwater when
the water is at
the normal level. In tidal water, such traps must be completely
covered at normal high tide. • It is illegal to use, set or possess
a killer-type trap having a jaw spread greater than 6 inches
without possessing a permit
for beaver or river otter. A killer-type trap with a jaw spread
not exceeding 10 inches may be used for beaver or river otter. Jaw
spread shall be measured between the inner edges of the jaws across
the trigger of a set trap.
• Beaver and otter trap tags must be place above the water line
and clearly exposed to view.
Best Management Practices (BMP): BMP are based on the most
extensive study of animal traps ever conducted in the United
States. Test traps were selected based on knowledge of commonly
used traps, previous research findings and input from expert
trappers. Statisticians from universities and federal and state
agencies developed rigorous study designs. Experienced wildlife
biologists and trappers developed study procedures, supervised or
participated in field research and provided insight and expert
technical advice on trapping methods to ensure the completion of
each project. Data collection, including safety evaluations, was
undertaken following widely accepted international standards for
testing traps specified in the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) Documents 10990-4 and 10990-5. BMP-approved
traps with jaw spread >10” are NOT legal for use in NJ! The
following beaver and river otter BMP-approved traps are legal for
use in NJ (other traps with equivalent characteristics are also
legal):
• Belisle Classic 330 • Belisle Super X 220 • Belisle Super X
280 • BMI 220 • BMI 220 Magnum • BMI 280 • LDL 220 • LDL C220
Magnum • LDL C280 • LDL C280 Magnum • Rudy 280 • Rudy 330 •
Sauvageau 2001-7 • Sauvageau 2001-8 • Woodstream Oneida
Victor 220 • Woodstream Oneida
Victor 280
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Trapping on State Wildlife Management Areas The following
Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are closed to trapping until Jan.
1: Assunpink, Berkshire Valley, Bevans (Millville), Black River,
Clinton, Colliers Mills, Flatbrook-Roy, Glassboro, Greenwood (incl.
Howardsville), Heislerville, MacNamara (Tuckahoe), Mad Horse,
Manahawkin, Manasquan River, Medford, Nantuxent, Peaslee, Pequest,
Port Republic, Stafford Forge, Walpack, Winslow and Whittingham.
National Park Service regulations prohibit trapping at all times on
the Delaware Water Gap Nat’l Recreation Area.
Mandatory pelt registration February 20, (9 AM-Noon)
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New Jersey Beaver and Otter Mgt. Zone Boundary Descriptions –
Zones 1 to 9 Zone 1: That portion of Sussex County lying within a
continuous line beginning at the intersection of the New York-New
Jersey state line with Rt. 519; then south on Rt. 519 to its
intersection with Rt. 23; then south on Rt. 23 to its intersection
with Rt. 519 at Colesville; then south on Rt. 519 to its
intersection with County Rt. 636 above Branchville, then west on
Rt. 636 to its intersection with Rt. 206; then south on Rt. 206 to
Rt. 521, then southwest on Rt. 521 to its intersection with County
Rt. 617; then south on Rt. 617 to its intersection with Rt. 624
near Fairview Lake, then northwest on Rt. 624 to its intersection
Big Flatbrook River; then southwest along the southern bank of the
Big Flatbrook River to its confluence with the Delaware River, then
north along the Delaware River to the New York-New Jersey state
line; then south along the New York-New Jersey state line to Rt.
519, the point of beginning. Zone 2: That portion of Sussex County
lying within a continuous line beginning at the Intersection of the
New York-New Jersey state line with Rt. 519, then south on Rt. 519
to its intersection with Rt. 3; then south on Rt. 23 to its
intersection with Rt. 519 at Colesville; then south on Rt. 519 to
its intersection with County Rt. 636 above Branchville; then west
on County Rt. 636 to its intersection with Rt. 206; then southeast
on Rt. 206 to its intersection with Rt. 15 at Ross Corner; then
south on Rt. 15 to its intersection with Rt. 517 at Sparta; then
north on Rt. 517 to its intersection with Rt. 23, then east on Rt.
23 to its intersection with Rt. 515 at Stockholm; then north on Rt.
515 to its intersection with Rt. 94 at Vernon; then north on Rt. 94
to the state line, then west along the state line to its
intersection with Rt. 519, the point of beginning. Zone 3: That
portion of Sussex, Passaic, Morris and Bergen counties lying within
a continuous line beginning at the intersection of the state line
and Rt. 94; then south on Rt. 94 to its intersection with Rt. 515
at Vernon; then south on Rt. 515 to its intersection with Rt. 23 at
Stockholm then east on Rt. 23 to its intersection with Rt. 202 near
Wayne; then north on Rt. 202to the state line at Suffern; then west
along the state line to its intersection with Rt. 94, the point of
beginning. Zone 4: That portion of Sussex and Warren counties lying
within a continuous line beginning at the confluence of the
Delaware and Big Flatbrook River; then northeast along the southern
bank of Big Flatbrook River to its intersection with Rt. 624; then
south on Rt. 624 to its intersection with Rt. 617, then north on
Rt. 617 to its intersection with Rt. 521 then northeast on Rt. 521
to its intersection with Rt. 206, then south on Rt. 206 to its
intersection with Rt. 94 at Newton; then south on Rt. 94 to its
intersection with Rt. 608 at Marksboro, then south on Rt. 608 to
its intersection with Rt. 521; then south on Rt. 521 to its
intersection with Rt. 80 near Hope; then west on Rt. 80 to its
intersection with 94 at Columbia; then south on Rt. 94 to its
intersection with the Delaware River; then north and northeast
along the Delaware River to its confluence with the Big Flatbrook
River, the point of beginning. Zone 5: That portion of Sussex and
Warren counties lying within a continuous line beginning at the
intersection of the Delaware River and Rt. 94 at Columbia; then
north on Rt. 94 to its intersection with Rt. 80; then east on Rt.
80 to its intersection with Rt. 521 near Hope; then north on Rt.
521 to its intersection with Rt. 608, then northeast on Rt. 608 to
its intersection with Rt. 94 at Marksboro; then north and east on
Rt. 94 to its intersection with Rt. 206 at Newton, then north on
Rt. 206 to its intersection with Rt. 15 at Ross Corner, then south
on Rt. 15 to its intersection with Rt. 517 at Sparta; then
southwest on Rt. 517 to its intersection with Rt. 46 at
Hackettstown, then west on Rt. 46 to its intersection with Water
Street in Belvidere; then south along Water Street to its
intersection with the Delaware River; then north on the Delaware
River to its intersection with Rt. 94, the point of beginning. Zone
6: That portion of Warren, Morris, Sussex and Passaic counties
lying within a continuous line beginning at the intersection of Rt.
46 and Rt. 517 in Hackettstown, then north on Rt. 517 to its
intersection with Rt. 23 at Franklin, then south on Rt. 23 to its
intersection with Rt. 699 (Berkshire Valley Rd.) at Oak Ridge, then
south on Rt. 699 to its intersection with Rt. 15, then south on Rt.
15 to its intersection with Rt. 80, then west on Rt. 80 to its
intersection with Rt. 10 near Ledgewood, then east on Rt. 10 to its
intersection with Rt. 513; then west on Rt. 513 to its intersection
with Rt. 517 at Long Valley, then north on Rt. 517 to its
intersection with Rt. 182; then north on Rt. 182 to its
intersection with Rt. 46, then northwest on Rt. 46 to its
intersection with Rt. 517 at Hackettstown, the point of beginning.
Zone 7: That portion of Morris, Passaic and Essex counties lying
within a continuous line beginning at the intersection of Rt. 699
(Berkshire Valley Rd.) and Rt. 23 at Oak Ridge, then southeast on
Rt. 23 to its intersection with Rt. 80 near Singac; then west on
Rt. 80 to its intersection with Rt. 287, then south on Rt. 287 to
its intersection with Rt. 10 near Whippany, then west on Rt. 10 to
its intersection with Rt. 80 at Ledgewood, then east on Rt. 80 to
its intersection with Rt. 15, then north on Rt. 15 to its
intersection with Rt. 699 at Mt. Hope; then north on Rt. 699 to its
intersection with Rt. 23 at Oak Ridge, the point of beginning. Zone
8: That portion of Ocean County lying within a continuous line
beginning at the intersection of Rt. 537 and Rt. 539 at
Hornerstown, then south on Rt. 539 to its intersection with Rt. 72
near Howardsville, then east on Rt. 72 to its intersection with Rt.
532, then east on Rt. 532 to its termination at Barnegat Bay; then
continuing eastward across Barnegat Bay and through Barnegat Inlet
to the Atlantic Ocean, then north along the Atlantic Ocean to its
intersection with Rt. 528 at Mantoloking, then west along Rt. 528
(527/528) to its intersection with Rt. 195 near Jackson Mills, then
west along Rt. 195 to its intersection with Rt. 537 near Holmeson;
then southwest along Rt. 537 to its intersection with Rt. 539 at
Hornerstown, the point of beginning. Zone 9: That portion of Ocean
and Burlington counties lying within a continuous line beginning at
the intersection of Rt. 537 and Rt. 539 at Hornerstown, then south
on Rt. 539 to its intersection with Rt. 72 near Howardsville, then
northwest on Rt. 72 to its intersection with Rt. 532, then west on
Rt. 532 to its intersection with Rt. 206 near Tabernacle, then
north on Rt. 206 to its intersection with Rt. 537 at Chambers
Corner; then east on Rt. 537 to its intersection with Rt. 539 at
Hornerstown, the point of beginning.
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New Jersey Beaver and Otter Mgt. Zone Boundary Descriptions –
Zones 10 to 18 Zone 10: That portion of Burlington, Camden and
Atlantic counties lying within a continuous line beginning at the
intersection of Rt. 73 and Rt. 561 near Blue Anchor, then north on
Rt. 73 to its intersection with Rt. 70 at Marlton; then east on Rt.
70 to its intersection with Rt. 541 at Medford, then southeast on
Rt. 541 to its intersection with Rt. 532 at Medford Lakes, then
east on Rt. 532 to its intersection with Rt. 206, then south on Rt.
206 to its intersection with Rt. 54; then southwest on Rt. 54 to
its intersection with 561 near Hammonton; then northwest on Rt. 561
to its intersection with Rt. 73 near Blue Anchor, the point of
beginning. Zone 11: That portion of Ocean, Burlington and Atlantic
counties lying within a continuous line beginning at the
intersection of Rt. 563 and Rt. 532 at Chatsworth; then east on Rt.
532 to its intersection with Rt. 72; then southeast on Rt. 72 to
its intersection with Rt. 532 near Howardsville, then east on Rt.
532 to its termination at Barnegat Bay; then continuing eastward
across Barnegat Bay and through Barnegat Inlet to the Atlantic
Ocean, then south along the Atlantic Ocean to the Absecon
Lighthouse in Atlantic City; then northwest on Rt. 30 to its
intersection with Rt. 563 in Egg Harbor, then north on Rt. 563 to
its intersection with Rt. 532 at Chatsworth, the point of
beginning. Zone 12: That portion of Atlantic, Gloucester and Camden
counties lying in a continuous line beginning at the intersection
of Rt. 322 and Spur 536 Williamstown; then northeast on Spur 536 to
its intersection with Rt. 73 near Tansboro, then south on Rt. 73 to
its intersection with Rt. 561 at Blue Anchor; then southeast on Rt.
561 to its intersection with Rt. 54 near Hammonton, then southwest
on Rt. 54 to its intersection with Rt. 557 at Buena; then northeast
on Rt. 557 to its intersection with Rt. 322/536 near Williamstown;
then east on Rt. 322/536 to its intersection with Spur 536
Williamstown, the point of beginning. Zone 13: That portion of Cape
May, Atlantic and Cumberland counties lying within a continuous
line beginning at the intersection of Rt. 557 and County Rt. 671 at
Buena; then southeast on Rt. 557 to its intersection with Rt. 50
near Buck Hill; then south on Rt. 50 to its intersection with Rt. 9
at Seaville, and south on Rt. 9 to its intersection with Sea Isle
Boulevard (Rt. 625) at Ocean View; then east on Sea Isle Boulevard
to the Atlantic Ocean; then south along the Atlantic Ocean; then
north along the Delaware Bay to its intersection with East Point
Rd. in Heislerville Management Area; then north on East Point Rd.
to its intersection with Rt. 616 (Dorchester-Heislerville Rd.);
then north on Rt. 616 to its intersection with Rt. 740, then
northeast on Rt. 740 to its intersection with Rt. 47; then north on
Rt. 47 to its intersection with Rt. 646 (Cumberland-Port Elizabeth
Rd.) near Port Elizabeth; then north on Rt. 646 to its intersection
with Rt. 49 near Cumberland; then west on Rt. 49 to its
intersection with Rt. 671 (Union Rd.) then north on Rt. 671 to its
intersection with Rt. 557 near Buena, the point of beginning. Zone
14: That portion of Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester and Atlantic
counties lying within a continuous line beginning at the
intersection of Delaware Bay and the west bank of the Maurice
River; then north along the west bank of the Maurice River to Rt.
631, then north along Rt. 631 to its intersection with Rt. 553;
then north along Rt. 553 to its intersection with Rt. 536/322 at
Glassboro, then east along Rt. 322/536 to its intersection with Rt.
555 near Williamstown; then south along Rt. 555/557 to its
intersection with Rt. 671 (Union Rd.) near Buena, then south on Rt.
671 to its intersection with Rt. 49 at Cumberland, then east on Rt.
49 to its intersection with Rt. 646 (Cumberland-Port Elizabeth
Rd.), then south on Rt. 646 to its intersection with Rt. 47 at Port
Elizabeth; then south on Rt. 47 to its intersection with Rt. 740;
then southwest on Rt. 740 to Rt. 616 (Dorchester-Heislerville Rd.),
then south on Rt. 616 to East Point Rd. in Heislerville Management
Area; then south on East Point Rd. to the Delaware Bay, then west
along the Delaware Bay to its intersection with the west bank of
the Maurice River, the point of beginning. Zone 15: That portion of
Salem and Cumberland counties lying within a continuous line
beginning at the intersection of the Delaware River at Rt. 625 at
Oakwood Beach, then east on Rt. 625 to its intersection with Rt. 49
at Salem, then southeast on Rt. 49 to its intersection with Pecks
Corner-Cohansey Road, then east on Pecks Corner-Cohansey Road to
its intersection with Rt. 540, then east on Rt. 540 to its
intersection with Rt. 553, at Centerton, then south on Rt. 553 to
its intersection with Rt. 631 near Port Norris, then south on Rt.
631 to the Delaware Bay, then northwest along the Delaware Bay and
Delaware River to its intersection with Rt. 625 at Oakwood Beach,
the point of beginning. Zone 16: That portion of Burlington and
Atlantic counties lying within a continuous line beginning at the
intersection of Rt. 206 and Rt. 532 near Tabernacle, then southeast
on Rt. 532 to its intersection with Rt. 563 at Chatsworth, then
south on Rt. 563 to its intersection with Rt. 30 at Egg Harbor,
then northwest on Rt. 30 to its intersection with Rt. 206, then
north on Rt. 206 to its intersection with Rt. 532 near Tabernacle,
the point of beginning. Zone 17: That portion of Atlantic County
lying within a continuous line beginning at the intersection of Rt.
557 and Rt. 54 at Buena, then northeast on Rt. 54 to its
intersection with Rt. 30 at Hammonton, then southeast along Rt. 30
to its intersection with Rt. 50 at Egg Harbor, then southeast along
Rt. 50 to its intersection with Rt. 557 near Buck Hill; then
northwest on Rt. 557 to its intersection with Rt. 54 at Buena, the
point of beginning. Zone 18: That portion of Atlantic and Cape May
counties lying within a continuous line beginning at the
intersection of Rt. 50 and Rt. 557 near Buck Hill, then northeast
along Rt. 50 to its intersection with Rt. 30/563 at Egg Harbor,
then southeast on Rt. 30/563 to the Absecon Lighthouse in Atlantic
City; then south along the Atlantic Ocean to Sea Isle Boulevard Rt.
625) in Sea Isle, then west on Sea Isle Boulevard to its
intersection with Rt. 9, then north on Rt. 9 to its intersection
with Rt. 50 at Seaville, then northwest on Rt. 50 to its
intersection with Rt. 557 near Buck Hill, the point of
beginning.
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New Jersey Beaver and Otter Mgt. Zone Boundary Descriptions –
Zones 19 to 25 Zone 19: That portion of Warren, Morris and
Hunterdon counties lying within a continuous line beginning at the
intersection of Water Street and the Delaware River; then north on
Water Street to its intersection with Route 46 and continuing east
on Route 46 to its intersection with Route 182 at Hackettstown;
then south on Route 182 to its intersection with Route 517; then
south along Route 517 (517/24) to Schooleys Mountain; then south on
Pleasant Grove Road to Pleasant Grove; then southeast on Califon
Road to its intersection with Sliker Road; then southeast on Sliker
Road to its intersection with East Hill Road; then south on East
Hill Road to its intersection with Route 628 at Woodglen; then
southwest on Route 628 to its intersection with Route 645 at Glen
Gardner; then northwest on Route 645 to its intersection with Route
635 at Hampton, then south on Route 635 (Charlestown Road) to its
intersection with Route 78/22; then west on Route 78/22 to its
intersection with Route 614 near Perryville; then southwest on
Route 614 to its intersection with Route 519 at Spring Mills; then
south on Route 519 to the Delaware River at Milford; then northward
along the Delaware River to its intersection with Water Street in
Belvidere, the point of beginning. Zone 20: That portion of Morris
and Hunterdon counties lying within a continuous line beginning at
the intersection of Route 517 (517/124) and Pleasant Grove Road at
Schooleys Mountain; then south on Pleasant Grove Road to Pleasant
Grove; then southeast on Califon Road to its intersection with
Sliker Road; then southeast on Sliker Road to its intersection with
East Hill Road; then south on East Hill Road to its intersection
with Route 628 at Woodglen; then southwest on Route 628 to its
intersection with Route 645 at Glen Gardner; then northwest on
Route 645 to its intersection with Route 635 at Hampton; then south
on Route 635 (Charlestown Road) to its intersection with Route
78/22; then west on Route 78/22 to its intersection with Route 614
near Perryville; then southwest on Route 614 to its intersection
with Route 519 at Spring Mills; then south on Route 519 to the
Delaware River at Milford; then south on the Delaware River to the
intersection of Route 29 and Route 523 at Stockton; then northeast
on Route 523 to its intersection with Route 517 near Oldwick; then
north on Route 517 to its intersection with Route 513 (513/24) at
Long Valley; then northwest on Route 517 (517/124) to Schooleys
Mountain, the point of beginning. Zone 21: That portion of
Hunterdon, Somerset and Morris counties lying within a continuous
line beginning at the intersection of Route 517 and Route 513 at
Long Valley; then north and east along Route 513 to its
intersection with Route 10; then east along Route 10 to its
intersection with Route 287 at Malapardis; then southwest along
Route 287 to its intersection with Route 525 (Mt. Airy Road); then
south along Route 525 to its intersection with Route 22 near Bound
Brook; then west along Route 22 to its intersection with Route 523
at Whitehouse; then north along Route 523 to its intersection with
Route 517 near Oldwick; then north along Route 517 to Long Valley,
the point of beginning. Zone 22: That portion of Somerset, Union,
Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic and Bergen counties lying
within a continuous line beginning at the intersection of the north
shore of the Raritan River and the Garden State Parkway; then north
on the Garden State Parkway to its intersection with Route 440;
then west on Route 440 to Route 287; then west on Route 287 to its
intersection with Route 22; then east on Route 22 to its
intersection with Route 525 (Thompson Avenue) near Bound Brook;
then north on Route 525 to its intersection with Route 287; then
north on Route 287 to its intersection with Route 80; then east
along Route 80 to Exit 53 and its intersection with Route 46; then
east on Route 46 to its intersection with Route 3; then southeast
on Route 3 to the Hudson River at the Lincoln Tunnel; then south
along the New Jersey shore of the Hudson River to the Kill Van
Kull; then west along the New Jersey shore of the Kill Van Kull to
Newark Bay; then west following the New Jersey Boundary along
Newark Bay; then south along the Arthur Kill following the New
Jersey boundary to Raritan Bay; then west along the north shore of
the Raritan River to the point of beginning at the Garden State
Parkway. Zone 23: That portion of Bergen, Passaic and Hudson
counties lying within a continuous line beginning at the
intersection of Route 202 and the New York/New Jersey border; then
southwest on Route 202 to its intersection with Route 23; then
south on Route 23 to its intersection with Route 46 at Route 80
Exit 53; then east on Route 46 to its intersection with Route 3;
then southeast on Route 3 to the Hudson River at the Lincoln
Tunnel; then north along the Hudson River to the New York/New
Jersey border; then northwest along the New York/New Jersey border
to Route 202, the point of beginning. Zone 24: That portion of
Hunterdon, Mercer and Somerset counties lying within a continuous
line beginning at the Delaware River near the intersection of Route
29 and Route 523 at Stockton; then northeast on Route 523 to its
intersection with Route 22; then east on Route 22 to its
intersection with Route 206; then south on Route 206 to its
intersection with Route 295 near Lawrenceville; then west on Route
295 to Route 95; then west on Route 95 to the Delaware River; then
north along the Delaware River to Stockton, the point of beginning.
Zone 25: That portion of Somerset, Middlesex, Mercer and Burlington
counties lying within a continuous line beginning at the Delaware
River at the confluence of Black Creek at Bordentown; then eastward
along Black Creek to the point at which Black Creek intersects
Route 130; then northeast on Route 130 to its intersection with
Route 1; then northeast on Route 1 to its intersection with Route
287; then west on Route 287 to its intersection with Route 22; then
west on Route 22 to its intersection with Route 206; then south on
Route 206 to its intersection with Route 295 near Lawrenceville;
then west on Route 295 to Route 95, then west on Route 95 to the
Delaware River, then south along the Delaware River to Bordentown,
the point of beginning.
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New Jersey Beaver and Otter Mgt. Zone Boundary Descriptions –
Zones 26 to 30 Zone 26: That portion of Mercer, Middlesex and
Monmouth counties lying within a continuous line beginning at the
intersection of the north shore of the Raritan River and the Garden
State Parkway; then north on the Garden State Parkway to its
intersection with Route 440; then west on Route 440 to Route 287;
then west on Route 287 to its intersection with Route 1; then
southwest on Route 1 to its intersection with Route 130; then south
on Route 130 to its intersection with Route 33 at Hightstown; then
east on Route 33 to its intersection with Route 537; then northeast
on Route 537 to its intersection with Route 79 at Freehold; then
north on Route 79 to its intersection with Lloyd Road at
Morganville; then north on Lloyd Road to Broadway in Keyport; then
north on Broadway to the Matawan Creek confluence with the Raritan
Bay; then northwest along the New Jersey shoreline to the Raritan
River intersection with the Garden State Parkway, the point of
beginning. Zone 27: That portion of Monmouth and Ocean counties
lying within a continuous line beginning at the Atlantic Ocean at
Route 528 at Mantoloking; then west on Route 528 (527/528) to its
intersection with Route 195 near Jackson Mills; then west on Route
195 to its intersection with Route 537 near Holmeson; then
northeast on Route 537 to its intersection with Route 79 at
Freehold; then north on Route 79 to its intersection with Lloyd
Road at Morganville; then north on Lloyd Road to Broadway in
Keyport; then north on Broadway to the Matawan Creek confluence
with the Raritan Bay; then southeast along the New Jersey coastline
of the Atlantic Ocean at Raritan Bay; then south along the New
Jersey coastline of the Atlantic Ocean to Mantoloking, the point of
beginning. Zone 28: That portion of Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth and
Burlington counties lying within a continuous line beginning at the
Delaware River at the confluence of Black Creek at Bordentown; then
eastward along Black Creek to the point at which Black Creek
intersects Route 130; then northeast on Route 130 to its
intersection with Route 33 at Hightstown; then east on Route 33 to
its intersection with Route 537; then south on Route 537 to its
intersection with Route 206 at Chambers Corner; then south on Route
206 to its intersection with Route 530 (Pemberton Road); then
northwest on Route 530 to its intersection with Route 541 at Mt.
Holly; then north on Route 541 to the Delaware River at Burlington,
then north on the Delaware River to Bordentown, the point of
beginning. Zone 29: That portion of Burlington, Camden and
Gloucester counties lying within a continuous line beginning at the
Delaware River at Route 541 in Burlington; then southward following
the Delaware River to Route 30 at Camden; then east along Route 30
to its intersection with Route 130; then south along Route 130 to
its intersection with Route 76; then south along Route 76 to its
intersection with Route 42; then southeast along Route 42 to its
intersection with Spur 536 (Williamstown-Mt. Freedom Road) at
Williamstown; then northeast along Spur 536 to its intersection
with Route 73 near Berlin; then north along Route 73 to its
intersection with Route 70 at Marlton; then east on Route 70 to its
intersection with Route 541 at Medford; then south east on Route
541 to its intersection with Route 532 at Medford Lakes; then east
on Route 532 to its intersection with Route 206; then north on
Route 206 to its intersection with Route 530 (Pemberton Road); then
northwest along Route 530 to its intersection with Route 541 at Mt.
Holly; then north along Route 541 to the Delaware River at
Burlington, the point of beginning. Zone 30: That portion of
Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties lying within a
continuous line beginning at the intersection of the Delaware River
and US Route 30 at Camden; then east along Route 30 to its
intersection with Route 130; then south along Route 130 to its
intersection with I-76; then south along I-76 to its intersection
with Route 42; then southeast along Rt. 42 to its intersection with
CR 536 Spur near Williamstown; then south on CR 536 Spur to its
intersection with Rt. 322; then west along Rt. 322 to its
intersection with CR 553; then south along CR 553 to its
intersection with CR 540; then west along CR 540 to its
intersection with Pecks Corner-Cohansey Road; then west along Pecks
Corner-Cohansey Road to its intersection with Rt. 49; then
northwest along Rt. 49 to its intersection with CR 625 at Salem;
then west along CR 625 to its intersection with the Delaware River
at Oakwood Beach; then northward along the Delaware River to US
Route 30 at Camden, the point of beginning.
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How Large Will Your Beaver Pelt Be? Beaver pelts should be
boarded in an OVAL shape which conforms to the animal’s natural
shape. Other shapes can result in loss of natural contours causing
lack of uniformity, possible size loss, or overstretching in the
back area leading to reduced fur density, possible grade reduction
and less money for you, the beaver trapper! Use the table below to
estimate the properly stretched size of your freshly pelted beaver
(all measurements are in inches).
Hanging Length
Stretched Length
Stretched Width
Final Measurement
Age Class Size
12 10 9 19
Kit (< 12 months)
Small
13 11 9 20 14 12 10 22 15 13 11 24 16 13 12 25 17 14 13 27 18 15
13 28 19 16 14 30 20 17 15 32 21 18 16 34 22 19 17 36 23 20 17 37
24 21 18 39 25 22 19 41
Yearling (12-24 months)
26 22 20 42 27 23 21 44 28 24 21 45 29 25 22 47 30 26 23 49 31
27 24 52
Sub-adult (24-36 months)
32 28 25 53
Medium 33 29 25 54 34 30 26 56 35 31 27 58 36 31 28 59 37 32 29
61
Adult (Breeding age)
Large 38 33 29 62 39 34 30 64 40 35 31 66
Blanket 41 36 32 68 42 37 33 70 43 38 33 71
Super Blanket
44 39 34 73 45 40 35 75 46 40 36 76 47 41 37 78 48 42 37 79 49
43 38 81 50 44 39 83
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11
How to Avoid Capturing Otter if You Only Have a Beaver Permit
Because otter and beaver often use the same habitat, there may be
times/places when trappers need to avoid capturing otter. While no
method can eliminate accidental otter captures, there are methods
that can help reduce the risk of accidental capture. The following
ideas are offered as a guide to improving selectivity, recognizing
that each may have advantages/disadvantages depending on the
situation and location. There may be other methods equally (or
more) useful and trappers are encouraged to use whatever method
seems most effective for the given situation.
Moving the trigger to one side of a bodygrip trap A snare set
with a loop of 9 to 10 inches will allow an increases the chance an
otter to pass through, but will still catch beaver. otter can get
through When there is a need to avoid otter while beaver trapping,
consider the following ideas: • Stay alert for the presence of
otter sign on your trap line. • Be cautious about using trap sets
at high probability otter travel-ways, particularly dam crossings,
inlets and outlets to
ponds/lakes, narrow streams and ditches that connect to other
water bodies, crossover trails along shorelines, dikes and culverts
and the entrances to inactive beaver bank dens or lodges.
• Use baited beaver sets where possible. Avoid using beaver
lures that may also attract otters to the set. • Consider using a
“side-parallel” position (see image, above) for the trigger wires
on beaver bodygrip traps. Also,
consider the use of tension-adjustable triggers, using two
“side-parallel” triggers (one on each side), and two-way triggers
only (those that don’t spring when pushed sideways).
• Offset the trigger to one side on a bodygrip trap and place a
stick in the mud directly in front of the trigger (make sure the
stick is outside the closing radius of the trap). Otters will
typically swim around the stick and avoid the trigger.
• When using cable devices, use a 9-10-inch loop. Make sure your
snares have “stops” to prevent the loop from closing tighter than a
four-inch diameter. Place the bottom of the loop close to the
ground. Also, consider positioning the lock farther back from
top-center to decrease the sensitivity of the device. Do not “load”
snares; this will further reduce sensitivity.
• Gang-set active beaver areas (set an equal number of traps for
the anticipated number of beavers). Catch beaver as fast as
possible and pull traps. Avoid leaving traps set for extended
periods trying to catch the last beaver.
• When trapping under ice, make baited sets between active
lodges/dens and food caches/piles. • For more information on otter
avoidance and proper trigger configurations to use for bodygrip
traps to capture beaver,
see the Trapper Education Student Manual: A Guide for Trappers
in the United States published by the Association of Fish and
Wildlife Agencies at
http://www.fishwildlife.org/files/Trapping_Student_Manual_2005.pdf
• Always check New Jersey’s trapping regulations for guidance,
specific restrictions or prohibitions related to otter
trapping.
Setting bodygrip traps deep under water may allow an otter to go
over the top of the trap, while most beaver will dive to the
bottom and be caught.
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2019-20 Beaver and Otter Harvests One hundred twenty-six (126)
trappers were successful in capturing at least one beaver (63%
success rate) and harvested a total 670 beavers (5.3
beavers/successful trapper). Forty-five (45) trappers harvested the
permit bag limit of 8 beavers. Fifty-eight (58) beavers were
harvested on 17 damage permits issued bringing the total beaver
harvest to 728. One damage permit trapper was successful in
harvesting the permit bag limit of 10 beavers. The otter quota was
increased from 115 in 2016 to 146 in 2017 (n = 31 or 27%) and
allocated to effect 10% otter harvest mortality in select
management zones based on historical success rates in respective
zones (statewide projected harvest was 65 otter). Fifty-one (51)
otter trappers were successful in capturing their season limit of
one otter (36% success rate).
Zone Beaver Permits Issued
Damage Permits Issued
Number Successful Trappers
Regular Beaver Harvest
Damage Harvest
Otter Permits Issued
2019-20 Projected Harvest
2019-20 Realized Harvest
2020-21 Projected Harvest
1 8 4 8 4 1 0 1 2 17 11 60 4 2 3 2 3 9 6 36 3 2 3 2 4 7 6 31 3 1
1 1 5 12 6 35 5 1 1 1 6 22 14 64 5 2 0 2 7 10 10 76 4 2 3 2 8 8 2 4
20 8 8 3 3 3 9 7 5 26 6 3 1 3 10 8 1 5 15 0 2 1 1 1 11 6 2 7 6 3 0
3 12 3 2 8 2 1 0 1 13 7 4 22 7 4 5 4 14 2 2 0 0 3 6 3 2 3 15 2 1 1
15 6 6 6 16 6 1 3 16 10 5 2 0 2 17 5 4 25 2 1 2 1 18 3 3 6 6 4 3 4
19 3 1 4 3 1 0 1 20 7 4 14 7 1 3 1 21 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 22 1 1 3 1 0 0
0 23 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 24 3 2 3 19 9 3 1 0 1 25 6 2 4 27 13 4 3 3 3 26
3 2 3 15 10 3 1 1 1 27 2 0 0 2 1 1 1 28 11 3 4 21 2 11 3 2 3 29 12
1 10 61 0 5 1 1 1 30 8 1 7 50 3 9 3 6 3
Total 200 17 126 670 58 143 65 51 64
2020-21 Beaver and Otter Permit Application InformationBeaver
and Otter Trapping Regulations:General Trapping Regulations: No
person shall set, use or maintain any type of cable restraint
device unless they have first passed a Fish and Wildlife-approved
trapper education course and carry on their person appropriate
certification thereof.Best Management Practices (BMP):New Jersey
Beaver and Otter Mgt. Zone Boundary Descriptions – Zones 1 to 9New
Jersey Beaver and Otter Mgt. Zone Boundary Descriptions – Zones 10
to 18New Jersey Beaver and Otter Mgt. Zone Boundary Descriptions –
Zones 19 to 25New Jersey Beaver and Otter Mgt. Zone Boundary
Descriptions – Zones 26 to 30How Large Will Your Beaver Pelt Be?How
to Avoid Capturing Otter if You Only Have a Beaver Permit